One of the best things that comes with old age is that you can dedicate more time to hobbies you loved but neglected earlier in life. Most older adults love gardening and it’s considered one of the best hobbies for aging people.
But as much people love gardening, it can be hard to do it correctly. There are two main issues with planting that all elderly adults face. The first one is staying safe, while the second one is doing your best on a limited budget. Here, we are going to focus on the first one.
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Staying Safe While Gardening Alone
Old age is beautiful. But with it, we will encounter reduced physical and mental capacity. Many elderly adults who live alone and have either a physical or mental disability can get injured while gardening. In some cases, the consequences of a gardening accident can even be fatal.
Here we are going to list for you a couple of tips on how to safely enjoy gardening in your golden age.
Be aware of your limits
It is essential for seniors to understand that they are no longer young. Lifting bags of fertilizer is not a smart move, especially if you have a physical impairment. Even working with heavy garden tools is not recommended, as it can be hazardous. The strength of younger days is just not there anymore.
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Always keep a cell phone near you
Gardening is fun and enjoyment all in one, but when alone, it can have a bad side. Having an accident while working alone in the garden can be lethal. Falls or even a small misstep can lead to severe injuries. Some gardening tools are sharp, so you can cut yourself and bleed out. Because of this, it is essential to have a cell phone near you to call for help if the need arises.
Try not to use ladders
Ladders are dangerous at any time in your life, but with age, they become very hazardous. As we get older, most of us will lose our sense of balance to an extent. So while in the garden, if we try to climb ladders and lose our balance, a fall can lead to severe injuries or even worse—death. As much as you love gardening, for some jobs it’s better to call professionals and avoid endangering yourself.
Talk about your gardening plans to others
This is something that most people overlook. But telling your friends and family that you will be doing some gardening can save your life. How? It’s simple. If they know that you will be busy for a couple of hours but don’t hear from you for half a day, they will undoubtedly come to check up on you. What’s even better? If you tell them in advance, you might have company while doing it. It’s always more fun with someone around.
Protect yourself
There’s nothing more important than being protected while working. Using safety gear, such as glasses and appropriate footwear, is essential for your safety. Furthermore, if you chose a warm and sunny day for gardening, be sure to apply sunscreen because the sun can be as dangerous as ladders are.
Avoid heavy power tools
Some of the tools you need to use while gardening require a lot of strength. There is one very important rule when choosing which tool to use. If you can’t handle it with ease, don’t use it at all. It might seem that some work needs to be done with gas-powered tools, but you should stay away from them for your well-being. In the end, your health is more important than your garden, as much as you love to keep it in line.
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